Test drive aluminum yacht Allures 45

Test drive aluminum yacht Allures 45

When we tested our predecessor Allures 45 - Allures 44, in 2007, we were pleasantly surprised by its clear concept. Back in 2003, Allures started with a clean slate, then surveyed dozens of couples on the high seas in order to create an optimized ocean cruiser. 44 was awesome, but Allures 45 exceeded all expectations. We tested one of the first yachts in this series "Vagaris"who has just returned to the UK after an exciting Baltic Sea cruise.

Performance

The south wind blows, with a force of 45 points, the first reef on the mainsail is taken and the genoa is slightly twisted, the boat goes at an angle of 35-40 degrees to the apparent wind, with a force of 20-25 knots, while developing a speed of 6.37 knots. Tacking is made difficult by the fact that the genoa is constantly twisted against the second head of the small staysail. But this is an ocean boat. And if you have to maneuver a lot, you need to put the staysail. But if your next change of tack is 500 miles away, then a genoa clinging to a staysail is not such a big deal.

Lying on course, the boat makes 7-8 knots at 20 knots of apparent wind, in gulfwind about 7.1 7.4 knots at 19-knot apparent wind with a three-meter centerboard extended two meters, and we detected 6.77.1 in backstay with 17 knots pennant. Her 55-horsepower engine Volvo Penta with a non-standard Gori three-blade propeller, it is able to accelerate it to 7 knots already at 1600 rpm.

Test drive aluminum yacht Allures 45

At the helm

The view ahead is very good, the second pair of sheet winches are located in the immediate vicinity of the helmsman, which is very convenient if you are driving a boat with a small crew. The first pair of sheet winches are moved closer to the center of the cockpit. There are excellent footrests for the helmsman, and they will come in handy. Even with all its hold ballast (the centerboard weighs only 200 kg), it heels heavily when cornering. Looking back, we realize that we could have prevented broaching in advance by placing the mainsail on the second reef. Broaching in open waters is one thing, but broaching dangerously close to rocks, for example, is completely different.

Design and construction

There are several notable differences compared to Allures 44. First, the hulls that were previously built at the military shipyard CMN. in Cherbourg, now being built by contractors Garcia Brothers' yard, near Caen. Garcia brothers began working with Allures in 2010, having thirty years of experience in the construction of aluminum hulls. This collaboration has brought many advantages to the shipyard: the hulls are just as strong, but the build quality is better, the design team can innovate and innovate directly during the assembly process, there are no strikes.

The design has changed too. New boat produced under the Allures 45 trademark, has a rounded aluminum hull, the deck has become wider. In the below-deck rooms it is much brighter due to the enlargement of the windows at the stern. The stern section has become wider. Compared to the Allures 44, the 45 has increased sail area. The boat is very similar to the sailing yacht of the Xc45 family.

Sailing rig tender, 9/10, large mainsail, with two shelves of reefs, genoa and staysail on twists. When using the staysail, it is necessary to work with backstays. There are 2 steps at the top of the mast, making it easy to work with all equipment attached to the mast.

Test drive aluminum yacht Allures 45

Deck equipment

The boat can be fitted with two long chain anchors. The anchor winch has a chain drive on the port side, and on the starboard side there is a winch for working with a rope. The anchor rolls are located under a small bowsprit. She has a double forestay, which has its own tension mechanism. The handrails along the wheelhouse provide safe passage along the side. The high spray hood covers the front of the cockpit well from wind and spray. The cockpit, seating surfaces and deck are covered in teak. In the stern, on the port and starboard sides, there are lockers for gas cylinders. A wide arch at the stern, which serves as a davit, can be used to install additional equipment: wind generators, solar panels, additional antennas. There is also a regular place for a life raft and a locker for an outboard engine.

Inside the yacht

Yacht saloon, galley and cabins - spacious and bright, they have enough space to accommodate both things and provisions. In the center of the wardroom there are sofas with a table and a bar. The boat is designed for six people. The cabins' doors are positioned so that you do not have to disturb the guests seated at the table. If the guests decide to spend the night on the yacht, then by folding the table, you can get an extra bed. The bow and stern cabins have wide berths with comfortable mattresses. These are bright and well-ventilated rooms.

Test drive aluminum yacht Allures 45

Navigator's table

One of the brand differences Allures is the chart table, which is located in such a way that allows you to observe how the sun moves across the sky, and how the sailor gives up the anchor, while you are calculating your further route. There is no plotter as Adrian and Jackie plotted their route using an iPad. And, of course, there are many lockers and skerries outside and inside the navigator's table.

Galley

The galley is located on the port side, opposite the sofa. Well lit with excellent ventilation. Equipped with a huge number of food storage cabinets. Adrian and Jackie chose the Levante three-burner gas hob and the Espace GN oven, which has four heating modes and very precise temperature control. Adrian has installed a freezer and vacuum sealer in the technical room, the latter being very useful for storing French cheeses on board.

Shower

Closer to the stern is a shower stall with a custom-made acrylic folding door. There is an Electroscan desalination panel on the wall, which allows you to take a shower without consuming fresh water from the tanks.

Maintenance

As you would expect, the boat, which is designed for a long journey across the ocean, has the most conveniently located control consoles, shut-off valves, kingstones, electrical wiring, and a centerboard lifting device are easily accessible. The aft pantry has plenty of storage space for spare parts, access to the heating system, generator, engine.

Test drive aluminum yacht Allures 45

Specifications:

Our opinion:

- How does the boat behave under sail?

Something must be said first. This boat, with a wind force of 45, can reach a speed of no more than eight knots. However, most of the boats of this class that we tested had empty tanks and no extra cargo on board. This is not a racing boat. Allures 45 was designed for a small crew that could make long journeys in comfortable conditions. During the test, the boat was fully loaded. So, we can say that she showed good speed.

I would like to go out on it again and work with the sail settings. Adrian and Jackie paid little attention to the Vagaris sails. Perhaps, with the second reef on the mainsail, the boat would have gone with less heel and the rudder would have better "obeyed". I spent too little time on board to draw clear conclusions, but I know for sure - when Adrian and Jackie get a better understanding of their boat, they will learn to find the right compromise in its handling.

- How does the boat behave in the port and at anchorages?

This is where it really has its advantages! With the centerboard up, she has a draft of only 1 meter, so she can get closer to the shore, or wherever you want. Large tanks, solar panels and wind generators give owners the complete autonomy that is typical for such projects. Concept design Allures 45 just overwhelming. The deck, which does not heat up, huge windows, well-thought-out interior layout of the yacht, make it comfortable for travelers.

- Would you choose it for yourself and your crew?

Vagaris owners Adrian and Jackie Ward bought their first large boat, the Elan Impression 384, in 2006, shortly before reading about the Allures 44 in Yachting Monthly. After taking part in Rally Portugal 2006 to test their ability to adapt to life in the open spaces, Adrian and Jackie decided to purchase a Vagaris, having previously made a test voyage on it in March this year in the Baltic Sea, visiting Stockholm, Helsinki and St. Petersburg ...

Allures doesn't like the word "dream" because dreams tend not to come true. They believe that each boat is a kind of platform for the implementation of the plan. Undoubtedly, Adrian and Jackie brought their energy and vision to fulfill their dream of exploring the world under sail, creating a solid foundation for it. But would this boat be for you? If you have ambitious and well-defined plans, then Allures 45 will be an excellent tool for their implementation.

Aluminum yacht Allures 45.9

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18.03.2012